RASMUSSEN: JOHNSON 45 — FEINGOLD 46

Dead even race prompts Feingold to distort record; issue misleading statements

[Oshkosh, WI…] The Ron Johnson for Senate campaign today said a new Rasmussen Poll showing a dead even race for US Senate demonstrates the Oshkosh manufacturer’s campaign to reduce America’s $13 trillion debt, sharply cut spending and reinvigorate the nation’s economy is resonating with voters across Wisconsin.

The poll, conducted on June 21, by Rasmussen Reports showed Sen. Russ Feingold with a slim 1-point lead over Ron Johnson (46/45), who entered the race for the US Senate in mid May.  The poll sample was 500 likely voters and has a margin of error of +/- 4.5 percentage points.

Johnson for Senate campaign manager Juston Johnson said the new poll reflects voter frustration with Feingold’s record of saying one thing in Wisconsin and voting another way in Washington.  Johnson added Feingold’s support of the $862 billion failed stimulus bill and the federal government’s $1 trillion takeover of health care is sinking the career politician’s poll numbers.

“Ron Johnson’s message of reducing spending and getting the economy back on track is connecting with voters frustrated by career politicians spending money the American people simply do not have.  Feingold’s bad poll numbers reflect his misguided votes to drive our nation deeper in debt while more and more families are struggling to pay bills and find a job,” Johnson said.

Johnson added the poll numbers also demonstrate why the 18-year US Senator and career politician has resorted to distorting Ron Johnson’s record on everything from Medicare to the Gulf oil spill.  The Feingold campaign issued a statement on Monday, June 21, saying Johnson does not support holding BP accountable for the spill and cleanup.

“Russ Feingold knows very well that Ron Johnson believes BP should be held accountable for the oil spill and the cleanup,” Johnson said.  “For Feingold to issue a statement saying otherwise shows just how desperate he is to hold onto power and continue his agenda to expand the size of the federal government against the wishes of the people of Wisconsin.”

At a forum in Waukesha County on Monday, Ron Johnson reiterated his position regarding BP’s negligence and responsibilities:

“I think the bottom line is BP will be held accountable for this above the 75 million cap. And I think the fact they were willing to do it kinda shows they recognized the fact they were negligent.”

Johnson, 55, owns PACUR LLC and is an accountant.  PACUR is an Oshkosh-based manufacturing facility that specializes in a variety of plastics manufacturing for medical, commercial and industrial purposes.